Shiv Sena demands action against official over mayor clip in Mumbai

Mumbai city news: The officer in the clip can be heard directing Mahadeshwar to his supervisor and that he was simply following orders.

mumbaiUpdated: Jun 24, 2017 01:26 IST

Sanjana Bhalerao Hindustan Times

The mayor can be heard intimidating the officer with a threat of suspension for every small mistake he does. (HT)

A day after an audio clip of Mumbai mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar asking a ward licence officer about why action was taken against hawkers on Linking Road, the Shiv Sena has demanded action and inquiry against the ward officer who released the clip to the public.

The mayor can be heard intimidating the officer with a threat of suspension for every small mistake he does. Accusing the officer of troubling stall owners, Mahadeshwar said the stalls have been on the road since the past five years.

“Nowhere in the clip has the mayor threatened the officer. He was just inquiring and asking the logic behind the action,” said Yashwant Jadhav, Shiv Sena group leader.

He added, “Rather, action should be taken against the officer who not only recorded the conversation of the first citizen of Mumbai without his permission but also released it.”

Sena is now taking legal opinion on the matter.

The officer in the clip can be heard directing Mahadeshwar to his supervisor and that he was simply following orders.

This is not the first time that a controversial audio clip involving mayor of Mumbai has gone viral. Former Shiv Sena Mayor Snehal Ambekar was also in a tight spot after her audio clip over distribution of development funds had gone viral in 2015.

Citizens groups have condemned the Mayor’s act and are meeting civic chief Ajoy Mehta over the issue.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday had taken action against 18 stalls after it was found that they were flouting various terms and conditions of the licence. Interestingly, one stall owner who was given licence for a stall under the BMC’s employment providing scheme, had two restaurants on its name.

Senior officials said action was being taken following an HC order and a circular issued by the licence department. “Though they are licence holders, they are supposed to follow certain terms and conditions while conducting their business. Many of them have not been following the rules,” explained a civic official.

“It is one of the mayor’s responsibilities to provide pedestrian-friendly streets to Mumbaiites, but Mahadeshwar is doing exactly the opposite and is unnecessary making it a religious issue. The municipal commissioner should take action so that no officer is threatened like this in future,” said Manoj Kotak, BJP group leader.